(PELIC) refers to The University of Pittsburgh English Language Institute Corpus.
If a post refers to any language from this corpus, we tag it PELIC.
Here’s an example of using a defining relative clause for focus: The person who sent me was you. Listen to the pronunciation. B1 Point 73 in the category of CLAUSES is defined as: defining relative clauses: ‘the person who/that, the thing that, the (only) one who/that’ as a focusing device. *Some people looking for information about a relative pronoun […]
THE + noun + WHO|THAT + clause (focus) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 69 in the category of CLAUSES/comparatives is defined as: ‘(not) as’ + adjective/adverb + ‘as’ to introduce a clause (often with a substitute auxiliary verb) to talk about two things being equal or unequal in some way. *note that the EGP examples also include ‘as much as’ where
as + ADJECTIVE | ADVERB + as + CLAUSE Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 63 in CLAUSES is defined as: THE REASON WHY: defining relative clauses with ‘why’ after ‘reason’, to give an explanation and for focus. *Note that “the reason that…” is B2. A search in iWeb for: the * reason why 1 THE MAIN REASON WHY 8371 2 THE ONLY REASON WHY
The non-finite subordinate clause is a subordinate clause that does not have a subject and verb relationship like a typical main clause. Instead, it uses verb forms such as the “-ing” form. The clause is introduced by the words “before” or “after” to indicate a specific point in time. Here’s an example to illustrate this:
before | after + VERBing Read More »
Here is another post of some overlapping and clashing grammar points from different categories in the English Grammar Profile. B1 point 72 clashes with the general definition at C1. B1 Point 42 in the category of CLAUSES is defined as: ‘IF’ + PAST SIMPLE + WOULD, FUTURE, (SECOND CONDITIONAL) imagined situation, often in the context
second & third conditonal Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, A1 point 5 in CLAUSES/co-ordinated is defined as:
omit the subject in a second main declarative clause when the subject is obvious or the same as the first clause.
CLAUSE + CLAUSE, ELLIPTED SUBJECT Read More »
At a more advanced level of English, “you must…..” or “you’ll have to….” can be used to give polite but vague invitations. Specific times are avoided with this usage as they could make the invitation sound like an obligation. For example: We must catch up soon, yeah. Sweet! Listen The English Grammar Profile, B1 point 112 in the category
you | we + must (INVITATION) Read More »
A defining relative clause is a type of clause that gives essential information about a noun or noun phrase. It usually follows the noun it modifies and is introduced by a relative pronoun, such as who, which, that, where, or whose. When the noun relates to time, we can use when as the relative pronoun.
defining relative clause (time) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 120 in the category of MODALITY is defined as: ‘can’ with a limited range of adverbs (including ‘also’, ‘always’, ‘even’, ‘just’, ‘only’, ‘really’, ‘still’) in the normal mid position after the modal verb. PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: Some old people can only sit on the wheelchair. Chinese female level 3 writing class. A search on iWeb for: can_VM
CAN + limited range of adverbs Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 59 in CLAUSES is defined: ‘If not’ as a conditional clause to offer an alternative to refer to a previous direct or indirect ‘yes-no’ question where the answer might be ‘no’. *I don’t believe there must be a reference to a previous question for this grammar to show B1 complexity.
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 55 in the category of CLAUSES/comparatives is defined as: linking verbs + ‘like’ or ‘similar to’. EXPERT EXAMPLE: They taste similar to regular bulb onions, but they‘re milder. tastingtable.com PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE He looks like a cute turtle. Korean, Male, Level 2 A search in iWeb for: look* like * * * 1 LOOKS LIKE THIS: 14720 2 LOOK LIKE
LINKING VERB + like | similar to + NOUN PHRASE Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 78 in the category of CLAUSES is described as: defining relative clauses with ‘where’ to define nouns referring to place. For example: Her laptop computer is on the top of the desk where it is easy for her to reach. PELIC STUDENT: Chinese, Female, Level 3, Writing Class. *One could argue that ‘where’ could refer to a situation and not just a physical place, and
WHERE (relative clause) Read More »
In this post, we explore some common connecting words, also known as linking or transition words. In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 49 in ADVERBs/as modifiers is defined as: adverbs as discourse markers to organise text. (position) For example: Finally, I just take a rest. PELIC STUDENT: Arabic, Male, level 3, writing class Although the title of this post lists only
Firstly | Secondly | Finally | Actually , Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 38 in the category of ADVERBS/modifiers is defined as: DEGREE: ‘really really’ with verbs and adjectives for emphasis. 1 REALLY REALLY REALLY 2775 2 REALLY REALLY GOOD 2561 3 REALLY REALLY WANT 1526 4 REALLY REALLY LIKE 1090 5 REALLY REALLY BAD 1082 6 REALLY REALLY HARD 992 7 REALLY
This is another grammar point that is probably easier to deal with in the English Vocabulary Profile. There are too many vague differences to distinguish between the different entries in the English Grammar Profile. They could be explained in more detail. B1 Point 55 in the category of ADJECTIVES is defined as: a comma to
adjective, adjective noun Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 37 in the category of adverbs/modifiers is defined as: increasing range of adverbs: to indicate an attitude or viewpoint. For example: Basically, I agree with you. We need blankets because we should keep our bodies warm while we are sleeping. PELIC STUDENT: Japanese, Male, 4, g This is obviously for me. listen A list of adverbs can be taken from the EGP examples: completely|obviously|clearly|actually|luckily|honestly|sadly|basically|obviously|hopefully In iWeb
increasing range of stance adverbs Read More »
To understand ‘make + object + adjective’ let’s see how there are many ways to say for example: ‘you make me happy.‘ The meaning is the same as: ‘I am happy because of you.’ ‘You cause me to be happy.’ ‘You are the reason I am happy.’ The grammar of ‘you make me happy’ “you
make + OBJECT + ADJECTIVE ‘make me happy’ Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 36 in the category of PASSIVES is defined as: ‘it’ as a dummy subject, to summarise or evaluate in discussions, usually in formal or academic writing. This point often overlaps C1 impersonal modal passive reporting. *This might clash with B2. A search of the formal patterns found in the
‘It should be noted that’ (passives to summarise) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 26 in the category of NEGATION is defined as: ‘not’ with indefinite pronouns ‘everyone’ and ‘everything’ and determiners ‘every’, ‘all’ For example: Not everyone is always looking for easier. (more context) Besides, not everyone needs a decent education. (more context) PELIC student example: level 3 Portuguese female: Finally, not all things you think to do in this world can turn out in the way you try to do them.
Not + everyone | everything | every | all Read More »
C1 MODALITY
‘might or may + not have’ + ‘-ed’ to talk about possibility with a past reference
English Grammar Profile
might | may + not have + PAST PARTICIPLE (past possibility) Read More »
